Afterlife - Sensory Overdose (Sicsic059)

if the sweet leaf could grow in space, then Afterlife would be the appropriate music to ensure the plant's vitality.  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

In more than one way, Sensory Overdose, on Sicsic, is a celebration of experimental music.  Even before talking about the copious merits of this tape, the artwork of Stunned head honcho, Phil French, is somewhat of a portent.  Some of the first Afterlife tapes - the split with Ossining is wonderful - were splits released on Stunned.  In past reviews, I have described the salience of Stunned Records - it made a mark on experimental music like few others.  Therefore, just viewing Phil's beautiful artwork gives one an indication of the heavy vibes on offer.  Additionally, Afterlife is comprised of two skilled artists.  Along with performing in Afterlife, Franklin Teagle operates Tranquility Tapes, and it's sibling, Anathema Sound.  Ryan McGill has several other music projects, most notably the awesome Cliffsides - his contribution to the Space Slave 4-way split is a highlight of the batch.  With the pertinent details disclosed, let the trip commence!  And, it sure is a heady one.  The title is apt.  Over two sides of tape, Ryan and Franklin lay down a wonderful variety of astral sounds.  However, this is more than a collection of spacey sounds.  One of the most attractive facets of the tape is the structure of both side-long tracks.  A careful listen will illuminate the subtle shifts in tone and mood. In some sections, the tranquility of new age music fuses with the cosmos.  At other times, a vortex of spacey electronics inundate the listener.  Side B starts with some of the most interesting sounds heard the entire year.  And, the latter part of side B presents a maelstrom of metallic-coated sound that leaves the listener dazed under a glowing pile of cosmic detritus.    

   Upon pressing play and leaving this physical body, patterns of synth loop ethereally.  Before long, the serenity is augmented, as a nascent sustained tone shifts subtly.  The form changing with time.  As the tone shifts, the loop begins to ripple, and electronic signals - displaying a wonderful breadth of textures - start to morph.  More than halfway through, an appreciable change occurs.  Soon, the listener ascends to the next stratum, delivered by resonant sound that grows in vigor until it disintegrates in a deluge of astral sounds.
The flip is just as enticing.  As I mentioned in the preceding paragraph, Afterlife begins side B in style.  An intoxicating mix of sonic percolations and spacey effects move through the head like my favorite bud.  This part has an aquatic sound, yet it circulates among constellations and cosmic bodies.  Heretofore, the mood has a tranquil quality, which is underlined by airy pulsations of synth.  A transition occurs, in which the synth throbs.  Next, the listener is among sound that bubbles, frays and disintegrates.  At the intersection, the track morphs into an aggressive mix of trembling signals, static emanations, noise and metallic sound that grinds and oscillates.  Once the synth disappears, the listener is enveloped by a whirlpool of vibrations.  After the deluge, cosmic stillness, in the form of a quivering tone, extends beyond perception.

Homedubbed on chrome tape in an edition of 85 cassettes and sold out at the source, Sensory Overdose is fantastic in every aspect.  With dwindling supplies, the platform for lift-off is situated at the headquarters of Tomentosa.

peace and love, friends :)      

Former Selves - Calico Sunset (sicsic 053)

Former Selves + Pure Kush = the dream team.  peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)

 Dr. Gonzo once presciently averred that the tape recorder is for special music - a head full of LSD sure leads to some profound perceptions!  He is correct, and we are fortunate to span time with some wonderful artists and labels that generally release their music on cassette.  Over the last two years of writing for this site, I have encountered a few releases that make me recall the reason I listen to music.  Usually, those tapes are highly experiential.  Along with being well-composed, they augment life.  They represent sounds that fuse with the soul.  Often the radiating energy moves so proximate; a force that exhibits an enveloping aura.         When i listen to Calico Sunset by Former Selves on Sicsic, the ubiquity possessed by the placid sounds can permeate the roughest exteriors.  Currently, there are some wonderful artists creating lovely ambient and new age sounds.  Among those are the Iasos tape on Rotifer; Original Flowering Earth jams on Goldtimers and Planted; the JD Emmanuel 2xlp on Aguirre and the Motion Sickness of Time Travel tape from the recent batch of Sicsic.  Calico Sunset shimmers just as brightly as the aforementioned, as Former Selves disseminate dank crystals profusely via patient drones and slowly unfolding soundscapes.

Calico Sunset is a continuous ode to life.  The masterful 'Stillness' commences the tape.  Analogous to the sweet floral scent of the nascent summer, layers of tranquility drift through the flowering trees.  The soft, enveloping warmth illuminated by the splintered sunlight.  Pulsing serenity and gentle swells of ambient sound caress the head.  Contemplative notes echo the lightness of the moment.  The end is lovely with meandering tones that move soporifically within the drone.  Soothing tones chime and twinkle, acting as a bridge between the first and second track, 'Inside and Around'.  The second track, at the beginning, is centered on ringing sounds, breaking waves and external transmissions.  As the track matures, the listener is delivered into an oasis of august light composed of contemplative, elongated tones that sit pleasantly in the fore of consciousness.  Soothing tones modulate and flower from the drone, glistening in the atmosphere.  Toward the end, layers of enlightened sound manifest.  The last track on side A, 'Through Time', succeeds in combining beautiful piano and synth.  The piano exudes delicate sounds and intricate patterns.  Peaceful currents of ambient sound gradually move to the fore, while the piano, barely perceptible, moves to the background.  The flip kicks off with a real treat - the exquisite voice of Lynn Fister!  Side B begins with 'Kindred Spirit'.  As gentle and warm as the breath of a loved one, the lovely sounds embroider on to the skin as the constituent sections of the track come into being.  Warm, reverberating tones move in and out.  The are complimented by an uplifting drone and harmonious keys that coalesce nicely with Lynn's angelic voice.  On 'Parallels', burgeoning synth slowly moves into the zone.  Upon reaching the core, it radiates serenity as a meandering drone combines with light and airy tones.  Tones are inflected and float on the contours of the track.  The title track is the last stop, as Lynn's voice hovers and swells over voluminous, gentle passages of synth and piano.

 These are the sounds to cultivate loving kindness and awareness.  Once the listener presses play, they are immediately ensconced in serenity.  Released in a limited edition of 85 tapes, and accompanied by the beautiful designs of Lynn Fister, Calico Sunset will find a cozy spot on my end of year list.  Though it is sold out at the source, secure your copy at Tomentosa.

peace and love, friends :)